Popular Mollywood star Dileep has denied that he has divorced his actress-wife Manju Warrier in order to continue his ‘affair’ with the recently-divorced Kavya Madhavan. Dileep and Manju fell in love and married in 1998 when Manju’s career was going great guns. After marriage, though, Manju quit acting and became […]

Actress Kavya Madhavan will play the role of a mother of a 20-year-old in Anil Kunjappa’s upcoming film, Ente Amma. Kavya Madhavan is one actress who has done a variety of roles in her career in Mollywood and this time, once again, she has taken up a very bold role of […]

After making a forgettable debut as director in Kollywood with the Bharath-Sandhya-Bhavana starrer Koodal Nagar in 2007, filmmaker Seenu Ramasamy came back very strongly in 2010 with Thenmerku Paruvakatru which was not only a commercial success but also won the national award for ‘best feature film’ in Tamil when the national awards were announced in […]

Three-time State Award winner Bhavana has opted out of forthcoming Kannada film Neer Dose. Due to her other commitments, the actress has walked out of the film starring Jaggesh and Ramya. Bhavana has reportedly opted out due to her Bharatanatyam assignments. She has conveyed the same to director Vijay Prasad. […]

It is common knowledge by now that Superstar Kamal Hassan is doing the lead in Tamil remake of Malayalam blockbuster Drishyam. As per latest buzz, the movie has been christened as ‘Papanasam‘. After dubbed into Telugu and Kannada and scoring stupendous success, there are more expectations on Tamil remake. With […]

Navya Nair is back to don the greasepaint after a long time. Soon after marriage, Navya Nair decided to quit acting and settle for marital bliss. She has a son Sai Krishna through this marriage and was contended looking after him. However, when an offer to share the screen space with […]

We may have to say that the dress of heroine should go down to see her career going up. This formula might have been understood by Asin and she appeared this way recently downing her dress to make her sexiest cleavage visible for everyone. Asin has been trying a lot […]

Gorgeous South Indian actress Samantha announces her new collaboration with Lux. Earlier many star actresses Asin, Priyanka Chopra, Katrina Kaif and SRK recently, now its Samantha’s turn to endorse for Lux. “Super happy to announce my new brand association with LUX… Secretly always wanted to be a lux girl,” tweeted […]

Attitude of heroines generally shocks many producers and directors. Of late many girls are throwing starry tantrums once they score some points in film industry. But the kind of attitude we are talking about is quite different. Sexy Mallu lady Mamta Mohandas is a stunner the other day when she […]

Actress Mamta Mohandas and her husband Prajith Padmanabhan‘s divorce was finalised Monday. The two appeared before a family court here to complete the documentation. Mamta got engaged to Bahrain-based businessman and her childhood friend Prajith Padmanabhan on Nov 11, 2011. They got married Dec 28 in the same year at […]

Actress Meera Nandan had acted in few Tamil films including Valmiki and Ayyanar. Now she is pairing with Rahul in the film Surya Nagaram. Chella Muthu is directing this film. The audio launch of this film was recently held. Meera Nandan was also invited for this function. But she did […]

Vijay TV has been coming up with special and attractive programmes and has excelled with Highest TRP records. Especially, it holds unique mention for airing creatively based shows for the festive occasions. On Saturday Jan 15, at 3 pm, Vijay TV premiers the latest super hit Tamil film ‘Chikku Bukku’ […]

Philomina

Kavya Madhavan

Meera Jasmine

Popular films : Paadam Onnu: Oru Vilapam, Kasthoorimann

Monisha

Popular film : Nakhakshathangal, Kamaladalam

The best actresses of Malayalam Cinema

Malayalam Cinema was once known for its female-oriented subjects. Gone are those days. The Mollywood of today is mostly a male chauvinistic realm, where actresses are expected either to be a glam prop to a superhero or a tame witness to the unfolding of an intensely sketched male character. In spite of this predicament, some actresses have succeeded in breaking chains and effecting notable performances.

Here, we present to you 10 Malayalam actresses who made a mark, this decade. Choose your favourite. Vote Now!

Meera Jasmine

Meera Jasmine, on her day, is capable of singlehandedly carrying a film on her shoulders. She debuted with 'Soothradharan' (2001). Her portrayals in 'Gramaphone', 'Swapnakoodu', 'Perumazhakaalam', 'Rasatanthram', 'Vinodayatra', 'Kasthooriman' and 'Calcutta News' won her countless awards.

'Paadam onnu oru Vilaapam' (2003) won Meera the National and State awards for best actress. Her performance was so brilliant that she outshone her competition, with a unanimous verdict from the jury, to become one of the youngest actors to win the National award. She plays Shahina, whose dreams of a higher education are cut short due to child marriage and pregnancy, eventually leading to divorce.

Meera as Ashwathy in 'Achuvinte Amma', was a perfect blend of humour and gravitas. The scenes between mother (Urvashi) and daughter were extremely entertaining, particularly due to the subtle rendering and excellent comic timing.

Meera once again laid testament to her exquisite talent, through her awe-inspiring performance in 'Ore Kadal', as she swept away the Kerala State award, the Film Fare award and the Asianet award for best actress. Her role as Deepti, a housewife, who, in her helplessness to treat her sick son, depends on a stranger, only to become further embroiled in a poignant yet heartbreaking relationship with him. Meera delivers a soul-stirring performance, as Deepti.

Navya Nair

Navya debuted with 'Ishtam', and went on to deliver rollicking hits such as 'Mazhathullikilukam', 'Kunjikoonan', 'Kalyanaraman', 'Chathikkatha Chandu' and 'Ammakillikoodu'. She won the State Awards for Best Actress in 2002 for her performance in 'Nandanam' and in 2005 for 'Kanne Madanguka' and 'Saira'.

Navya's magnificent portrayal of Balamani in 'Nandanam' is unforgettable. She effects a convincing/moving performance as a maid in an aristocratic household, who, in her desolation, finds solace in absolute devotion to Lord Krishna.

In 'Kunjikoonan', Navya plays Chembakam, a poor, blind girl, who develops a rare bond with a hunchback (Dileep), and gets back her sight, only to find herself faced with some extremely challenging situations.

Padmapriya

Padmapriya left her corporate job for a career in films. A true South Indian belle, she debuted with 'Amrutham' in Malayalam and proceeded to do notable films such as 'Rajamanikyam', 'Naalu Pennungal', 'Paradesi' nd 'Pazhassi Raja'. She won the Kerala State award for 2nd best actress for 'Yes, Your Honour' and 'Karutha Pakshikal'.

In 'Kaazhcha', she plays Lakshmi, a housewife who finds herself caring for a little boy, who's a victim of the Gujarat riots. Her portrayal of the caring mother and wife, who is forced to give up the little boy who had become an intrinsic part of her family, is extremely moving.

'Vadakumnathan' was an intense film requiring some compelling acting. Padmapriya plays Mira, a young college girl, who's in love with her cousin Bharat Pisharady, a highly intelligent but eccentric Sanskrit Professor. Her selfless and all pervasive devotion to this veritable scholar brings her way heartbreak, disappointment and relentless tribulations. Priya's uninhibited rendition, decorated with an array of interplaying emotions, won her many awards.

In 'Karutha Pakshikal', Padmapriya portrays the undignified, loud, boisterous, rowdy character named Poongodi, with great ease. She won the Filmfare award for best Malayalam actress for 'Karutha Pakshikal'.

In 'Pazhassi Raja' (2009), Padmapriya plays Neeli, a skilled and fearless archer. Her breathtaking imitation of a warrior, through the employment of some lithe body movements and equally deadly expressions, was a show-stealer.

Kavya Madhavan

Kavya is the quintessential Malayali beauty. Starting off her career as a child artiste, Kavya did extremely memorable roles in films such as 'Mizhi Randilum', 'Sadananthante Samayam', 'Meesa Madhavan' 'Perumazhakkalam' and 'Thilakkam'.

'Oomapenninu Uriyadapayan' (2003) saw her in the role of a dumb girl, who falls in love with a poor deaf-and-mute artiste, and the challenges they face in coming together. Kavya won many best actress trophies, for the movie.

'Perumazhakalm' saw two marvelous actresses, Kavya and Meera, sharing some quality screen space. They respectively played Ganga and Razia, two young women caught in unfortunate circumstances, at opposing ends, battling the helpless agony of heartbreak and despair. Kavya's intense and heartrending performance won her the state award for best actress.

Kavya outdid herself with an unparalleled performance as Amritha, a college girl and a dancer, in 'Banares' (2009). Amritha faces the harassment of a cruel uncle and the challenges of an orphaned life. She meets Hari, who has come to Banaras, with the purpose of unraveling his late mother's past. Their friendship grows and they fall in love. Kavya has enacted Amrita with flawlessness, for which she won the Asianet Film award for best actress.

Urvashi

Urvashi is the erstwhile superstar of Malayalam cinema. She gave unforgettable performances in movies such as 'Thalayanamanthram', 'Mazhavilkavadi', 'Ponn Muttyidunna Tharavu', 'Kakkathollayiram' and 'Bharatham'.

In 'Achuvinte Amma' (2003) her comeback film, she plays a single mother, enchanting viewers with her soulful rendering.

In 'Madhu Chandralekha' (2006), Urvashi plays Chandramathi, an unrefined, indecorous, paan-chewing mother of three, whose husband is a famous singer, Madhu. Despite her inelegant and primeval manners, which cause her to spit paan at people while speaking, Madhu loves her and they share a happy marriage, only to be side tracked by an elegant young lady, Lekha, who enters their life, causing a foolish Chandramathi to assume that Lekha would make a superior mother and wife. A wonderfully authentic performance by Urvashi, making for moments of hilarity and emotions, won her the State Award for Best Actress.

Samyuktha Varma

Samyuktha's cascading hair and infectious smile broke many a heart. The year 2000 is memorable, for her impressive performances in 'Mazha' and 'Madhuranombarakaattu', for which she won many best actress trophies.

In Kamal's 'Madhuranombarakaattu', Samyukta plays Priyamvada, whose life is a relentless journey of struggle, filled with every possible disaster that can befall a woman. Samyuktha gave a brilliant performance in this role, portraying each and every moment with poignancy.

Lenin Rajendran's 'Mazha' won Samyukta the Kerala State Film Award for best actress. She plays Bhadra, a young girl caught between two worlds: one full of romantic dreams, poetry and music, and the other replete with bitter realities.

A landmark film for Samyuktha, 'Meghamalhar' is one of the most beautifully made and enacted films of the decade. Nanditha, a budding writer, meets Rajeev (Biju Menon), leading to an inseparable bond that, unknown to them, has its roots in their childhood. Samyuktha won the state award for her performance.

Bhavana

Bhavana is one artiste who has enchanted viewers with her debonair charm. She began her career with 'Nammal', with a show-stealing performance as a street smart, chatty, loud, slum dweller. Her looks were underplayed with a dark tone, while her demeanour was positively unrefined. She played the character with complete abandon, making it an unparalleled performance. She won the State Special Jury Award for the same.

In 'Swapnakoodu' (2003), Bhavana portrays Padma, who is transformed from the carefree, happy girl, to a torn, forlorn figure. 'Swapnakoodu' was a big hit, and a milestone for Bhavana.

In the off-beat 'Daivanamathil' (2004), Bhavana plays Sameera, a naive young Muslim girl, with dreams of a wonderful future with a smart young man, Anwar. Her dreams are shattered, when Anwar, becomes a Jihadi. Bhavana gave an intensely mind blowing performance, winning the State award for Second Best Actress.

In 'RH', Bhavana plays Rupa, a bold girl working undercover in a bank in order to exact revenge on the man who destroyed her fiancee's career. Bhavana, in her modish and fashionable image, complimented by her equally hip body language and mannerisms, typified Rupa's persona with panache.

Gopika

Gopika debuted with the film, 'For the People'. She rode up the decade with her many vivid performances in significant movies such as 'Vesham', 'Nerariyan CBI', 'Keerthi Chakra', 'Pothen Vava', 'Mayavi' and 'Annan Thambi'.

'For the People' depicted the story of four young men who set out to avenge society of criminals and antisocial elements. It was the lilting song, 'Lajjavathiye...', that catapulted Gopika to heights of fame.

For Gopika, 'Chanthupottu' (2005) was a turning point, as it was a major Box Office. grosser. She played a young girl, Maalu, among the fisher folk, who is passionately in love with an effeminate man, Radha (Dileep). Gopika gave a fantastic performance in the movie.

In 'Veruthe Oru Bharya' (2009), Gopika plays a hard working housewife, whose perennially suspicious but loving husband believes that the woman's place is in the house, and has no appreciation for her contribution as a wife and mother. Gopika gave a gripping performance and won many Best Actress trophies for the same.

Priyamani

Priyamani, with her sweet, cherubic smile and lovely features, is more than just a pretty face. A National Award winner, her Malayalam films, though few, helped her make a major impact.

Priyamani debuted with 'Satyam' (2004), a police saga, in which she played a conscientious news reporter, Sona. Priya got widely noticed for her.

In 'Thirakatha', Priyamani gave a stunningly moving performance as Malavika, in her different phases of life: as a dazzling actress, and then as an older, broken woman, suffering with pain due to cancer, while still holding on to her dignity, with haunting impact.

Roma

Roma's cute, chubby, naughty looks, her natural bubbly energy, mannerisms and body language add punch and vitality to every character she plays. Her notable movies include 'Notebook', 'July 4', 'Minnaminnikoottam', 'Lollypop' and 'Chocolate'.

Roma debuted with 'Notebook', playing a rebellious schoolgirl, Sarah. Sarah's reckless ways often get her in trouble. This moving story, of friendship and betrayal, was made stronger through a compelling performance by Roma.

In the hit 'Chocolate', Roma plays Ann, a naughty college girl whose sole purpose is to create havoc for the purpose of entertainment. When a young man enrolls as the only male student, they decide there's no place for men in their empire. They plot and execute ridiculous schemes, only to be met with equal opposition. The histrionics and escapades create side-splitting moments, furthered by Roma's extraordinary performance.

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